Andreas Mikkelsen is just one stage away from becoming the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge drivers’ champion, as the ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver heads into the final stage of the Cyprus Rally with a 1min 27.3sec lead.
After a trouble-free morning, there was drama on SS9, the first stage of the afternoon, as Andreas and 2nd placed Jan Kopecký hit the same rock 9kms from the end of the stage and both picked up a puncture – but Andreas lost less time (12.9 seconds) as he had a rear right flat, compared to the more time-consuming front right puncture (45.5 seconds) for Jan. The net result was that Andreas increased his lead by 32.9 seconds!
Andreas and co-driver Ola Fløene then cleared the penultimate stage without incident – although the event is far from over, as the final SS11 stage is the most difficult of the entire event.
ŠKODA continues to dominate the Cyprus Rally, with half a dozen Fabia S2000s in the top six positions.
Overall positions after SS10
1. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….2h 10m 55.0s
2. Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+1m 27.3s
3. Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+2m 25.4s
4. Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+3m 08.4s
5. Karl Kruuda/Martin Järveoja (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+4m 01.9s
6. Matthias Kahle/Peter Göbel (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+6m 35.2s
Hærlig.
Grattis med seieren Andreas.
Hilsen Bønna.